“I’m s...s-orry,” I finally stammered out, “My name is Josh. I don’t really know how I got here.” I unconsciously put my hand to my scalp to rub it with the tips of my fingers as if that would somehow help conjure forth a stubborn memory that refused to come out of hiding. “Where exactly am I?” I looked around the room as if that would help add to the question, “And...” I paused for a moment as I started to consider that even though I had just met the tiny girl, it was likely I would need her to find my way out of wherever it is that I ended up. That is, of course, if there was a way out. “May I know your name?” I asked in the most polite way I could muster. Although, I doubt my naked skinny ass would come off as threatening to anyone.

She gave me a suspicious look. Her mouth turned into a slight pout, her eyes narrowed, she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back which caused her to float a few inches further from me. “Well, you aren’t really scary looking and you didn’t really damage anything so I guess I can forgive you, Josh. For now.” This little woman was ridiculously adorable. It was almost like she was straight out of a children's cartoon. Her exaggerated expressions and the hint of innocence gave the same feeling you get when looking at those grumpy cat memes on the internet. “I am called Guinevere, manling. I’ve never really met one of your kind before, so I’m not certain if I should trust you. I’m just going to have to take you to Mother right away. She’ll know what to do with you.”

I didn’t really have time to respond when she clapped her hands together and returned to her original size. Immediately after she zoomed away down the tunnel she initially came in through and stopped about 30 feet away. It probably only took her about a second to get that far away. Not wanting to be left alone in the chamber and assuming her mother probably wasn’t much bigger than her, I saw no reason to stay behind. Besides, if her mother was agreeable, it would really be nice to know where the hell I was, how I got here and how to get out. Strangely, despite my situation, I wasn’t finding myself to be afraid. It was bizarre for certain, but there was something about this place that made me feel at ease.

I pushed myself out of the water onto my feet to follow the fairy down the dark tunnel. The moment I stepped out of the watery pool, its blue luminescence had ceased, making it pitch black around me. If you’ve ever been in a cave without a source of light or maybe looked inside a train tunnel, you would know the oppressive feeling that darkness can have. It was a major source of encouragement for me as I made a strong effort to keep up with my only source of light. As I followed her, the diminutive pixel kept a safe distance of at least 20 feet. Only stopping when I fell too far behind. The crystal gemstones inlaid in the cavern walls continued through the deep tunnel. I also was feeling a sense of claustrophobia as the tunnel itself was never more than an arms-length away around me. Although the walls were covered with these spiky structures, the cave floor was surprisingly level and smooth as if it had been evenly eroded over time like an underground river bed. Of course, I didn’t really know anything about geology or spelunking at the time. I was just happy there weren’t any loose rocks, sharp stones or steep drops while I was making my way swiftly behind barefoot.

Unfortunately, Guinevere’s mother wasn’t just around the corner. The one tunnel from her font we had followed led just a short way until it opened up into one large chamber. The pixie had hovered in the center of the cavern for a few moments as I took in the details of the cave. The room looked like it was some kind of central hub for at least a dozen or so tunnels. There were luckily none that seemed to lead precariously downward, though there were many that led into the ceiling. All the tunnels went in different directions and were different sizes. Some no larger than could fit a small animal while the largest looked like it could fit a large elephant. This place gave me the impression of some kind of nest, much like an anthill or some kind of hive. Not surprisingly, Guinevere darted down the largest tunnel and I no longer had time to ponder. Not that I minded the distraction; the thought of being in a nest of any kind gave me the creeps.

It wasn’t just the tunnel that was getting larger, the crystal formations that sprouted out of the walls were giant. Only a few yards in and the glass-like gemstones were as large as me. As I passed them, I peered into a few and I could see multiple reflections of myself. The magnificent sight distracted me long enough for it to suddenly get pitch black around me as I noticed my guiding light turn a corner and leave me alone in the darkness. I cursed at myself, “Shit. Wait up!” I cried out with a wavering in my voice and rushed down the passage to catch up. Then when I turned the corner, a great wave of relief came over me. Although I could no longer see the faint mote of light that was Guinevere in her tiny form, I could see a light as bright as the sun at the end of the tunnel.